University of the Pacific classes began Monday with 1,643 outstanding new graduate and professional students. It is one of largest and most diverse groups of new undergraduates in the university’s 162-year history.

Pacific welcomes large, diverse class

Aug 23, 2013

University of the Pacific on Monday will open its doors to one of the largest and most diverse groups of new undergraduates in its 162-year history. In addition, the University expects to enroll 1,643 outstanding new graduate and professional students.

For the semester that began Monday, the University's Stockton campus anticipates 1,000 new freshmen, 185 new undergraduate transfer students, 210 pharmacy students and more than 200 graduate students.

In Sacramento, Pacific McGeorge School of Law welcomed 162 new first-year law students Aug. 19. And in San Francisco, 141 first-year dental students started classes in July at the University's Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.

"Our stellar new students have chosen an intellectually challenging university with superior academics, a culture of engagement and a commitment to teaching, where they will develop the knowledge and skills that the world needs," said Pacific President Pamela A. Eibeck. "Following generations of alumni before them, they will leave the university prepared to influence their communities, lead by example and make life better for all. I am so proud to welcome them to the Pacific family."

Total enrollment on the Stockton campus, where the average undergraduate class has a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, is expected to be 5,200. For all three campuses, enrollment is anticipated to be about 6,360.

Other highlights of the new freshman class:

Representation of students from historically underserved groups increased from the year before, reflecting Pacific's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.

Among entering freshmen, nearly one in five is Hispanic - 18 percent, up from 15 percent last fall.

African-American students make up 3 percent of the entering class, up from 2 percent last year.

Asian-American students represent 39 percent of the entering class, up from 33 percent the year before.

Academic preparation remained strong. Among new freshmen, the average high school GPA is 3.45 and the average SAT score is 1,174, consistent with previous years.

Pacific continues to draw primarily students from the West Coast and Hawaii. More than 86 percent of incoming freshmen are Californians, and 32 percent come from the greater Stockton region (San Joaquin, Sacramento, Stanislaus and Calaveras counties). Five percent come from outside the United States.

For the new Tigers, it will be a landmark fall. Pacific Athletics will compete in the West Coast Conference for the first time in 42 years, fielding teams in 10 conference sports. And for the first time in 18 years, the University will celebrate Homecoming. For more information about fall activities, visit www.Pacific.edu.

Note: Anticipated numbers are confirmed in October, when the University compiles final fall enrollment information. Students have until Oct. 1 to add or drop classes, or withdraw.

About University of the Pacific Established in 1851 as the first university in California, University of the Pacific prepares students for professional and personal success through rigorous academics, small classes, and a supportive and engaging culture. Widely recognized as one of the most beautiful private university campuses in the West, the Stockton campus offers more than 80 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, music, business, education, engineering and computer science, and pharmacy, and health sciences. The university's distinctive Northern California footprint also includes the acclaimed Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco and the McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. For more information, visit www.Pacific.edu.